The spotlight doesn't often shine on Kendra Hornschemeier, but the lead role isn't what the Ohio soccer midfielder seeks. Quiet and diligent, her job is to get the ball to someone else, and she's awfully good at it.
On Sunday, when Hornschemeier helped set up forward Natalie Grein's second goal in a 3-0 victory at Ball State, the senior co-captain recorded her 29th career assist. She now stands in a tie for second in Mid-American Conference history for career assists and needs just two to equal the record.
It would be a fitting title for her.
I don't really like the attention or the glory
she said. I feel like an assist is just as important because you can't score without them. It just makes me feel good to put another person in that opportunity to score.
Putting others before herself is a mentality. Ask the self-described team player about her impressive numbers, and she talks about someone else.
A lot of times I feel like stats don't mean much because you could be the best player on the team but be playing defense she said. Like Gina (Siedentopf)
for instance. She doesn't score very many goals or get assists
but she does so much for our team.
It is no surprise, however, that Hornschemeier would mention Siedentopf. Both from Cincinnati, they live together in Athens and they've known each other since their days of horsing around together at their older sisters' softball games. At different high schools but both into club soccer, the two played together and against each other.
I was really excited when I found out she was coming here
Siedentopf said. We didn't know each other that well
but we knew each other well enough. I think we've definitely helped each other through hard times
always there for each other
supporting each other.
Hornschemeier also has a past with senior back Carrie Kistner. The two played soccer together at McNicholas High School. Hornschemeier said she believes these relationships translate into success on the field.
Our whole team is tight like that
she said. You get on the same page
and you want to work hard for your friend out there and help them out when they need it. When you know someone
